Anthony Richardson's days in Indianapolis are numbered and at this point, it's just about both sides finding a deal that works for them. Luckily, ESPN is willing to help.
Richardson's name was among a few that the ESPN NFL writers floated potential trade possibilities for. The former Florida Gators quarterback was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but has struggled with injuries that included a fractured orbital bone around his right eye, and getting up to speed with all the demands of an NFL quarterback. The Colts have moved on with another former first-round pick, Daniel Jones, and Richardson requested a trade back in February.
An Anthony Richardson throwing clip has hit the timeline.
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) May 28, 2026
“[Vision’s] good. I’m out there throwing the football nice.” — the #Colts QB said yesterday. pic.twitter.com/snf1FFkCqT
Despite his trade request, Richardson is doing the right thing and has been present and throwing at the Colts' OTAs. He said that he's fulfilling his duty to his teammates and doing what's asked of him while things get worked out.
"[My vision] is good. I'm out here throwing the football nice. They cleared me last year, so everything's smooth. I don't think [being in attendance is awkward]. I signed a contract. I'm still on this team...so I have an obligation to this team to come out and play and perform and be ready to play if they need me," Richardson said.
ESPN sees a potential fit for Anthony Richardson in the NFC North
Ironically, all four hypothetical trade proposals have Richardson going to a team in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings all making bids for the super athletic quarterback.
Eventually, they decided that the Vikings trade proposal, a fifth-round pick in 2027, would be the right move for Richardson. Oddly enough, the Packers' proposal for Richardson was also a fifth-round pick in 2027. ESPN's Stephen Holder explains the decision by saying the Vikings' pick will likely be the higher of the two.
"Minnesota's fifth-rounder will likely come earlier than Green Bay's fifth-rounder, giving this deal the edge. Additionally, it would allow Indianapolis to accommodate Richardson, as Ballard has said he'd like to do, by pairing him with a QB developer in [Vikings head coach] Kevin O'Connell. That's precisely what Richardson has been hoping for," Holder wrote.
Anthony Richardson must earn another chance to see the field
No one in the NFL views Richardson as a starting quarterback right now, nor should they. The concerns about him entering the league after so few starts in college proved to be legitimate. It's a smart move for Richardson to show up at OTAs and continue to be a good teammate. He also seems eager to show that he has made improvements this offseason and continues to focus on how to strengthen areas of his game.
"I just want to work. I'd gotten tired of waiting," Richardson said about being at OTAs. "'[I'm trying to improve] everything. Mainly my mechanics and footwork...I'm just trying to make sure I'm consistent with that. I'm trying to take another step into diving in the playbook a little more."
Richardson's athletic tools are among the best in the league, but he's still learning how to play quarterback. Hopefully a new environment and a new voice will help him fulfill all that potential.
Add us as a preferred source on Google